In Conduct Disorder, which term describes onset before age 10?

In Conduct Disorder, which term describes onset before age 10?

• A. Adult onset
• B. Adolescent onset
• C. Childhood onset
• D. Late onset

Answer: (C)

Onset before age 10 is described as childhood-onset conduct disorder. This labeling signals that symptoms begin in childhood and tend to be more persistent and impair functioning across multiple settings, with a higher risk for ongoing problems, including later antisocial outcomes. Adolescent onset would mean symptoms start during puberty, which often has a different course and prognosis. Adult onset implies symptoms begin in adulthood, which is not typical for conduct disorder, and late onset isn’t a standard descriptor. So the best term for onset before age 10 is childhood onset.

Onset before age 10 is described as childhood-onset conduct disorder. This labeling signals that symptoms begin in childhood and tend to be more persistent and impair functioning across multiple settings, with a higher risk for ongoing problems, including later antisocial outcomes. Adolescent onset would mean symptoms start during puberty, which often has a different course and prognosis. Adult onset implies symptoms begin in adulthood, which is not typical for conduct disorder, and late onset isn’t a standard descriptor. So the best term for onset before age 10 is childhood onset.